Week 8: Seahawks (3-4) at Cowboys (2-4)

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Two preseason NFC playoff contenders are set to play, both with four losses before the halfway point of the season.

Dallas is just a little more desperate than Seattle.

The Cowboys are on their second backup quarterback trying to get a win without Tony Romo, and running out of time to get the two they probably need to have a realistic shot at defending their NFC East title when he's eligible to return from a broken left collarbone.

Now Dallas is on its second starting running back since letting NFL rushing champion DeMarco Murray go to Philadelphia in free agency.

At least the Seahawks have more wins than losses since an 0-2 start by the defending NFC champions. And while Dallas has lost four straight without Romo and All-Pro receiver Dez Bryant to drop to last place in the NFC East, Seattle is coming off a dominant win over San Francisco to avoid the same spot in the NFC West.

At least the Cowboys have a chance to get Bryant back for the first time since breaking his right foot in the opener. He practiced this week for the first time since the injury, and the team was optimistic he would play.

The return of Bryant could be a boost for Matt Cassel in his second start filling in for Romo. Cassel replaced Brandon Weeden, who lost all three starts in Romo's place.

The Cowboys also spent all week dealing with questions about polarizing defensive end Greg Hardy's shoving match with special teams coach Rich Bisaccia right after former Dallas return man Dwayne Harris had a winning 100-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter for the Giants.